Colorado: The Best Place to Work - hardly a surprise for locals.

Outside Magazine named its top "50 Best Places to Work in America" list for 2010, and what comes as little surprise to local residents, Colorado has been placed on top. With the plethora of successful companies native to the squared-state, Colorful Colorado can hold its head high over the competition.

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Several Colorado companies are on Outside magazine's "50 Best Places to Work in America" list for 2010, with Louisville's Natural Habitat Adventures and Fort Collins' New Belgium Brewing Company the top two finishers.

The list is to be released in the outdoor magazine's May issue, on news stands April 27.

"These 50 companies come from a vast array of industries but they're all following the same enlightened path," Michael Roberts, executive editor of Outside, said in a statement. "They're successful businesses in a challenging economy precisely because they support a proper work-life balance. They know that benefits like on-site gyms and fitness classes, reimbursements for ski passes and sports racing fees, and support for community service efforts during work hours make their employees happier and thus more productive."

The list -- based on employee and manager surveys and questionnaires -- recognizes companies "that strive to enhance their employees' enjoyment of active endeavors, and environmental and social involvement," Outside said. It gathered information on benefits, compensation, policies, job satisfaction, environmental initiatives, and community outreach programs.

Outside said it compiled its list with help from the Outdoor Industry Association and Best Companies Group.